1. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE
ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО
WHO European Ministerial Conference on the Prevention and Control of
Noncommunicable Diseases in the Context of Health 2020
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
3–4 December 2013
4 December 2013
Original: English
Ashgabat Declaration on the Prevention and Control of
Noncommunicable Diseases in the Context of Health 2020
1.
We, the ministers of health and representatives of the Member States of the World Health
Organization in the European Region, together with the WHO Regional Director for Europe and health
experts and representatives of civil society and intergovernmental organizations, have gathered in
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 3 and 4 December 2013 to discuss ways to face the challenges posed by the
heavy burden and threat of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Building on previous achievements and
actions in our Region, we reaffirm our commitment to existing frameworks at all levels to address NCDs
and related chronic conditions including those related to mental health and injuries.
2.
We note the solid scientific evidence that the major NCDs cause suffering and undermine social
and economic development in our countries. They are largely preventable diseases linked to a set of four
common risk factors, namely tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity,
and can remain preventable until late in life.
3.
Health 2020, the new European regional health policy framework adopted in 2012, reflects a
consensus on the importance of addressing social determinants of health and equity, promoting shared
governance, adopting a life-course approach, strengthening health systems, improving and coordinating
public health approaches, working with communities, and developing targets as a means to improving
health for all.
4.
In complementarity with the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of
Noncommunicable Diseases adopted in 2013, with work at the national level, and with initiatives within
regional economic integration organizations, multiple joint efforts to prevent and control NCDs are under
way.
5.
We now commit to the following policy actions aligned to the objectives of Health 2020, in order
to improve health for all, reduce health inequalities, and strengthen leadership and participatory
governance for the prevention and control of NCDs.
Accelerating action to protect present and future generations from the
devastating consequences of tobacco
6.
We have reviewed progress in the ten years since the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control. We conclude that the European Region faces growing differences in tobacco use
between and within countries. While some countries have achieved historic lows in the prevalence of
tobacco use, the Region as a whole has the highest prevalence of smoking globally.
•
We confirm our commitment to accelerate our efforts to achieve full implementation of the WHO
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control throughout the Region. We encourage countries that
are not yet Parties to consider acceding to the Convention. We encourage as many countries as
possible to ratify the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products across the Region.

2. Ashgabat Declaration
page 2
•
We share the ambition of working towards a tobacco-free European Region and will work together
to make the global target on NCDs related to tobacco use a reality in all Member States of the
European Region.
Acting across the whole of government
7.
We have examined the deep connections between NCDs and sustainable economic and social
development, with prosperity and social cohesion and the importance of effective collaboration across
sectors for achieving results. We recognize the importance of regional action and cooperation in
accelerating national action to respond to NCDs.
•
For effective prevention and control of NCDs we will align our efforts towards cooperation across
the whole government and, inter alia, to develop multisectoral action, health-in-all policies and
whole-of-government approaches.
•
We shall address our governance structures and institutional capacities to strengthen this action.
•
We confirm our commitment to raise the priority accorded by global and national stakeholders to
reduce the burden of NCDs as a means of enhancing human development in its social, economic
and environmental dimensions across the whole of government and society as well as to ensure that
due consideration is given to NCDs during the discussions on the post-2015 development agenda.
Accelerating national action
8.
We have considered the capacity of European countries to respond to NCDs and to develop peoplecentred health systems supported by national health policies. Health promotion and prevention of NCDs
are essential for the long-term sustainability of health systems and a productive population able to meet
economic and social objectives.
•
We will strengthen our national information systems to better monitor outcomes of NCDs, risk
factors, the underlying determinants, and priority interventions guided by the Global Monitoring
Framework and the Health 2020 indicators and welcome cooperation with the European Union and
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the use of their monitoring
frameworks in this effort, as appropriate.
•
We recognize the added value of strong people-centred health systems adapted to NCDs and
related chronic conditions. We will align our efforts to ensure a balanced and equitable investment
to build national capacity in public health, health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, chronic
care, and rehabilitation, and particularly so in the face of financial constraints.
•
We will provide timely and appropriate population-based interventions and individual services to
enable more effective planning and use of limited financial resources, reducing the burden of
NCDs. NCDs can serve as a platform for investing in research and development for innovation in
health as a means of generating knowledge and wealth and increasing the productivity of health
systems.
•
By 2016, in alignment with global and regional mandates, we will develop and adopt national
targets and national action plans as appropriate to our respective national contexts.